Tony Hawk's Underground

In short: Tony Hawk's Underground is a sports game released in 2003 by Neversoft, available on PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and PC. Our score: 9.0/10 (highly recommended).

Tony Hawk's Underground

A groundbreaking skateboarding game that redefined the genre with its realistic physics, innovative trick system, and open-world design. Play as a pro skater or create your own character.

Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG) is a seminal skateboarding video game that revolutionized the genre upon its release in 2003. Developed by Neversoft and published by Activision, THUG introduced an unprecedented level of freedom and narrative depth to the Tony Hawk series. Players no longer just chased high scores in linear levels; instead, they embarked on a compelling journey from an unknown local skater to a professional legend, navigating a rich, open-world environment filled with challenges, secrets, and iconic skateboarding spots. At its core, THUG is about creative expression and personal progression. The game famously introduced the "walk-off" feature, allowing players to dismount their board and explore environments on foot, leading to new ways to discover lines, access hidden areas, and interact with the game world. This, combined with a robust create-a-skater and create-a-trick system, empowered players to personalize their experience and truly make the game their own. The narrative, while often humorous and lighthearted, also touched upon themes of friendship, rivalry, and the pursuit of dreams within the skateboarding subculture. The gameplay itself builds upon the solid foundation of previous Tony Hawk titles, featuring an intuitive yet deep trick system that rewards both skill and creativity. Players can chain together elaborate combos, incorporating grinds, manuals, flips, and special moves with fluid precision. The game's diverse locations, ranging from the st…

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Our review

Tony Hawk's Underground is a masterpiece that redefined skateboarding games. The freedom to explore on foot, the compelling narrative, and the deep customization options make it an incredibly engaging experience. While the graphics show their age, the core gameplay and endless replayability more than make up for it. A must-play for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a unique sports game.

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FAQ

Is Tony Hawk's Underground available on modern platforms?
Officially, Tony Hawk's Underground is not directly available on modern consoles or PC storefronts. It can be played on its original platforms (PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC) or through emulation.
Does Tony Hawk's Underground have local multiplayer?
Yes, Tony Hawk's Underground features robust local multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete head-to-head in various challenges and events.
Can I import my own music into the PC version?
The PC version of Tony Hawk's Underground allows players to import their own MP3 files to create custom soundtracks, enhancing the personalization of the game.
Is the story mode worth playing?
Absolutely! The story mode is one of the highlights of Tony Hawk's Underground, offering a fun and engaging narrative that follows your journey from a local skater to a pro legend, with memorable characters and challenges.

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Last updated: 03/04/2026